Licensing Exams

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam

Becoming a licensed professional engineer is a two-step process. First, a student who has graduated from an accredited four-year engineering program (or is within 20 credit hours of graduating) must take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (Part A). This is a common national exam that is valid in all 50 states and, if passed, is valid forever.

After passing this test, the applicant is classified as an Engineer in Training (EIT) and can then take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, (Part B) after serving under a registered engineer for a minimum of four years post B.S. degree (and in some states, four years of experience after passing the FE exam). Passing this exam in a particular state and in a particular discipline results in licensure from that state.

Why Do I Need a PE License?

NY Education Law, Section 6512.1: “Class E felony for anyone not authorized to practice who practices or offers to practice or holds himself out as being able to practice professional engineering.”

Section 7202: Practice of engineering and use of title professional engineer: “Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized under this article shall practice engineering or use the title ‘professional engineer.’”